Emirates Red Crescent launches sacrificial meat distribution project in Yemen

ERC aims to provide food for more than 6,000 people

The ERC hopes 904 portions of meat will be distributed over Eid Al Adha. Photo: Wam

The Emirates Red Crescent has launched a project to distribute meat from sacrificial animals in Yemen’s Hadhramaut province.

On Sunday, the first day of Eid Al Adha, 279 portions of meat were distributed to 1,116 families. These included people with disabilities, hospital patients and vulnerable in society, state news agency Wam reported.

By the end of the Eid Al Adha holiday, it is hoped 904 portions of meat will be distributed to provide food for 6,328 people.

It is part of a series of humanitarian and relief projects carried out by the UAE, represented by the ERC, which aims to improve living conditions in the region.

Humaid Al Shamsi, Development and International Co-operation Adviser and ERC representative in Hadhramaut, said the project was part of the continuing efforts to strengthen humanitarian ties and alleviate the suffering of underprivileged people across the Middle East.

Mr Al Shamsi also expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the initiative.

In June last year, political and social groups in Hadhramaut formed an organisation to campaign for their rights.

The founding of the Hadhramaut National Council, announced in Riyadh, came after more than a month of talks sponsored by a Saudi-led coalition.

“The new council aims to serve as a political platform to express the aspirations and represent the interests of the Hadhrami community in Yemen,” the group said at the time.

“We agreed on one political charter that will represent Hadhramaut locally, regionally and internationally on all issues,” council leader Bader Baslamah, the leader of the council, said Riyadh.

The council's charter, described by its leaders as "comprehensive and responsible", stipulates that it will stand against “the establishment of any military formations outside state institutions”.

Hadhramaut is the biggest province in southern Yemen. Much of northern Yemen remains under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, while the government and allied groups control most of the south.

Eid Al Adha celebrations around the world - in pictures

The Eid Al Adha morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, at the start of the holiday marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

A shepherd with a flock of a sheep in Iraq's southern city of Basra on the eve of Eid Al Adha. AFP

Worshippers at Baitul Makmur Grand Mosque, during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Meulaboh, West Aceh, Indonesia. Reuters

Devotees greet each other after offering Eid Al Adha prayers in Kolkata, north-east India. AFP

Palestinians attend Eid Al Adha prayers in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. EPA

Worshippers pray at Eid Al Adha celebrations in Naples, southern Italy. EPA

Women enter the hall of a mosque for a mass prayer, during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur. Reuters

A sacrificial bull is loaded on to a trailer during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Istanbul. EPA

Security personnel frisk devotees entering Jami mosque in Herat, western Afghanistan, to offer Eid Al Adha prayers. AFP

A Kashmiri girl has her hands decorated with henna ahead of Eid Al Adha, in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region. EPA

Worshippers attend prayers on Eid Al Adha at the Sir Ali Muslim Club Ground cricket ground, in Kenya's capital Nairobi. Reuters

A Muslim worshipper in the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, during the first day of Eid Al Adha in Istanbul. AP

Balloons are released during an Eid Al Adha service at Al Sayeda Zainab Mosque in Cairo. EPA

Baghdad residents take a ride at an amusement park at sunset, as they celebrate Eid Al Adha in Iraq's capital. Reuters

Eid Al Adha prayers at the Jama Masjid, in India's capital New Delhi. AP

Eid Al Adha prayers, held on the athletics track of the Dinamo Stadium, in Romania's capital Bucharest. AP

Eid Al Adha prayers at Moskovsky Prospekt during celebrations in St Petersburg. AP